News

Morgan Smith named President and CEO

​OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Effective Feb. 1, 2016, Morgan Smith will become the President and CEO of Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC. Smith succeeds Jim Haynes, who returns to an executive position at Bechtel after successfully leading CNS through its first phase as a consolidated organization. As President and CEO, Smith will be responsible for the management and operations of the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex, key production facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise.

“With the majority of key consolidation activities complete, CNS moves to its next phase focused on advancing operational performance and increasing production,” Haynes said. “Morgan Smith is uniquely positioned to lead CNS at this time based on his past experience managing Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program facilities and his time at CNS. Morgan and I have mapped out the path for a successful handoff. I could not be more confident in Morgan’s abilities.”

Smith, who has been the CNS COO since the company took over management of Pantex and Y-12 on July 1, 2014, has 38 years of technical and managerial experience. Prior to coming to CNS, he was instrumental in planning and implementing the consolidation of Bettis and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratories into a single organization run by Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation. As general manager of Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory from 2009 through mid-2014, Smith directly managed the lab and co-managed BMPC—scope that included 7,000 employees and nearly $2 billion worth of work across five sites.

“I have great respect for the work performed by the dedicated employees of Pantex and Y-12—work that our great nation and her allies rely upon,” Smith said. “I am committed to delivering the safety, security, quality and overall excellence that our country requires as we execute our important mission for the country. I also look forward to continuing the great relationships Jim Haynes developed with the communities of Amarillo and Oak Ridge and throughout the Texas Panhandle and East Tennessee.”

Haynes arrived at Y-12 from Bechtel in 2011, first serving as deputy general manager under the previous operating contractor. He became the first CNS President and CEO at the start of contract transition in early 2014. He is recognized as a leader in managing large organizations during times of consolidation and structural change and where safety is paramount.

“Jim Haynes led CNS through one of the most challenging transitions in NNSA history, joining two sites into one unified enterprise,” said CNS Chairman of the Board Craig Albert. “Under Jim, CNS faced the challenges of consolidation head on and met key mission deliverables and milestones, improved project performance, and helped establish a strong capital project pipeline. CNS has developed a strong foundation with common goals, values and daily absolutes. He leaves CNS well positioned to meet the growing demands for providing global security and national defense well into the future.”

Haynes will remain with CNS through the end of January to complete the transition of duties to Smith before beginning his new role with Bechtel on Feb. 1.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Jason Bohne
(865) 241-1400

Funds distributed though Amarillo Area Foundation

AMARILLO, Texas - Charitable organizations from across the Texas Panhandle are invited to apply for grants from the Pantex Community Investment Fund established by Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS).

CNS, responsible for management and operations at the Pantex Plant, has established the fund through the Amarillo Area Foundation as part of its commitment to Amarillo and surrounding communities. A Pantex Community Investment Advisory Committee was formed by selecting site employees to work with CNS and the Foundation to allocate grants where the need is greatest and company resources can be best allocated.

The Advisory Committee identified the following funding preferences and priorities for grants:

• Basic Needs (Food, Clothing, and Shelter)
• Children, Youth, and Family
• Community Development
• Education
• Financial Literacy
• Health and Wellness

Organizations who fit the eligibility requirements and whose work aligns with the funding priorities are encouraged to participate in the competitive application process. Applications are available online at aaf.spectrum.net and are due February 12, 2016, by noon.

The Advisory Committee for the CNS Pantex Community Investment Fund will entertain proposals from nonprofit and charitable institutions throughout the 26 northernmost counties in the Texas Panhandle (individuals and non-charitable organizations are not eligible). Priority will be given to proposals from organizations located and operating in twelve contiguous counties surrounding the Pantex Plant, which includes Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hutchinson, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall and Swisher.

Grant amounts will range from $500 to $10,000 with grantees announced in late March. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations or other exempt entities, such as public schools and governments or municipalities. Training for the online Spectrum system will be held Wednesday, January 13 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and again on Tuesday, February 9, from 9-10 a.m. To register for the training visit: http://bit.ly/1L00BJi.

For registration questions, please contact Roxann Ball, AAF Program Officer, at (806) 376-4521 or roxann@aaf-hf.org. Questions about eligibility or the grant process, please contact Kathie Grant, AAF Grants Administrator, at (806) 376-4521 or kathie@aaf-hf.org. For questions about grant priorities, please contact Jessica Tudyk, AAF Grants Manager, at (806) 376-4521 or jessica@aaf-hf.org.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

About the Amarillo Area Foundation
The Amarillo Area Foundation is a community foundation that serves the northernmost 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. The Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in the Texas Panhandle. Since its inception in 1957, the Foundation has provided grants and a variety of other services to strengthen nonprofit organizations and the services they deliver.

A recent Pantex volunteer event wasn’t as easy as 1-2-3 because convincing students that math is a useful skill is difficult, but Pantexans Dee and Scott Weaver were up for the task. The couple led a team of Pantex employees to help about 40 students at the High Plains Children’s Home gain a better understanding of math. Other Pantexans on the team included Laureen Kelly, Tamara Schaef and Leticia Rodriguez. The Weaver’s grandsons, Weston and Ryder, also attended.

“Sometimes it is difficult for students to recognize how much math is used daily,” said Dee Weaver. “When you start looking, math is all around us.” To prove this point, Scott Weaver, a beekeeper, presented “Beekeeping by the Numbers.”

“The kids were fascinated by the information about bees,” Dee said. “It emphasized that math is found in nature in many different ways – from the shape of the honeycomb chambers to the distance a bee will fly to and from the hive.”

At the end of the day, the teams presented graphing calculators to three high school students. “The calculators will help them with their homework and help them stay up with their classmates,” Dee said. “It is one less hurdle they have to overcome to help them be successful in the higher‑level math classes.”

Pantex Fire Chief Mike Brock (left) and Battalion Chief Scott Johnson recently completed the Fire Service Chief Executive Officer program offered at Texas A&M University.

For emergency personnel and first responders, constant training is just one facet of the job that is partnered with their daily duties, and it’s no different for Pantex Fire Chief Mike Brock and Battalion Chief Scott Johnson. They both recently attended the Fire Service Chief Executive Officer (FSCEO) program offered at Texas A&M University, through its Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX).

A new professional development capstone program for senior chief officers, the FSCEO program, is designed for executives within the fire service.

“The FSCEO course is an excellent way to tie together the information from the Fire Officer 1–4 courses. The instructors from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School included the most current management and leadership information and challenged the class to apply it to our positions. This was also an excellent chance to attend training with other fire service leaders and discuss the challenges of leading,” according to Chief Mike Brock.

Battalion Chief Scott Johnson noted: “Being in the Fire and EMS services for over 35 years, I have had the opportunity to participate in a number of nationally recognized training programs and attend National Fire Academy courses throughout my career. The Fire Service Chief Executive Officer course has been the highlight of them all. The knowledge of the instructors, course content and ability to network with other leaders in the fire service and pick their intellects about today’s trends in the fire service constituted an excellent value not only for me but for my firefighters. I would highly recommend it to all CNS fire department chiefs.”

Chiefs Brock and Johnson also learned about creativity and innovation, managing change and transition, media relations and stress management. Upon completion of the program, they both received FSCEO certification from TEEX and Texas A&M University.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – 260 employees at the Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex received National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Defense Programs Awards of Excellence at an annual ceremony held recently at the respective sites. The recipients were recognized at the sites by members of site management as well as Steve Goodrum, NNSA Assistant Deputy Administrator for Stockpile Management at NNSA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“I find it an honor to come out and represent Defense Programs,” Goodrum said. ”You do incredible and important work. I noticed the sign at the entrance today said ‘The Front Line of Global Security,’ and I want you to know that each and every part of these jobs being done contributes to the meaning of that sign.”

The awards are given annually to recognize significant achievements in quality, productivity, cost savings, safety or creativity in support of NNSA and the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

Geoff Beausoleil, NNSA Production Office manager, said: “I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the Defense Program awards ceremonies as they serve to display the amazing technical and engineering capabilities and know-how that exist at both sites. Your work sets the standard for nuclear weapons production. I encourage you to keep raising the bar.”

Teams and individual contributors were recognized for their contributions to several Defense Programs projects, including assembly and disassembly efforts, deinventory of materials, and design and engineering teams.

Established by NNSA in 1982, the Defense Programs Awards of Excellence recognize significant individual and team accomplishments across the Nuclear Security Enterprise in support of NNSA’s nuclear weapons modernization program.

Pantex and Y-12 are operated by Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS). CNS operates Y-12 and the Pantex Plant, Amarillo, Texas, under a single contract for NNSA, with a focus on the absolute priorities of safety, security, quality, mission delivery and cost efficiency. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc., Lockheed Martin, ATK Launch Services, and SOC, with Booz Allen Hamilton as a teaming subcontractor.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without explosive nuclear testing; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. NNSA homepage: http://www.nnsa.energy.gov/index.htm

CONTACT
Steven Wyatt
NNSA Production Office
Public Affairs
Office (865) 576-9918

$75,000 check presented for 2015 Campaign

AMARILLO, Texas - Consolidated Nuclear Security, the management and operations contractor at the Pantex Plant, recently presented a $75,000 donation to the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon at the United Way Offices.

Pantex employees have been longtime and active supporters of United Way, with donations from Pantexans going to meet the needs of our community and making a positive impact on the lives of the people in the Texas Panhandle.

“Pantexans have always shown support for the numerous civic and non-profit organizations that serve the people of the Panhandle. The United Way has always been one of the top organizations to receive our combined support and I expect the same thing again for the 2015 campaign. I hope that every Pantexan feels a part of this donation to the United Way and the services provided across the region,” said CNS Vice President and Pantex Site Manager Michelle Reichert.

Pantex treated employees at the United Way to lunch as Reichert presented the check to the United Way’s Executive Director, Katie Noffsker.

“The United Way of Amarillo & Canyon are very grateful for Pantex and all they do in our community. We value our partnership with Pantex and are appreciative of their financial and volunteer support of United Way," Noffsker said.

The donation from CNS will add to the generous pledges by Pantex employees to United Way as part of the 2015 campaign, with the final total to be released in early March.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC (CNS) operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on the performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Public Affairs
Office (806) 573.0490
Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Consolidated Nuclear Security served as a corporate sponsor during the High Plains Food Bank’s Together We Can food drive Dec. 7-12, providing 16,000 meals, which helped surpass the food bank’s 500,000 meal goal. Pantex volunteers also sorted food donations at the drive on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and others delivered monetary and food donations.

“Pantexans are kind and generous people,” said Laura Bailey, Pantexan and High Plains Food Bank board member. “We asked for volunteers and were flooded with folks who wanted to help. It was a great turnout.”

“As a sponsor, CNS had the opportunity to recognize our employees who do so much for the food bank, raise awareness about the good work performed by the food bank, and thank everyone in the community for their support during the food drive,” Bailey said.

Over the last few months, Pantex has donated $10,000 to the High Plains Food Bank’s Kids Café program and, joined forces with the Metal Trades Council for a donation of $3,250 for general use.

“CNS and MTC’s donations show that the company and employees support the Amarillo area and understand that the basic needs are the most important,” Bailey said. “Hunger kills productivity and potential. Providing food helps people in our community to be healthy, active and more alert. This is especially necessary for children, who need to focus on schoolwork so that they can grow to be healthy, productive adults.”

The High Plains Food Bank reports that the Together We Can food drive received donations for more than 725,000 meals. That will be a huge help because this past year has been particularly difficult, Bailey said. Requests for support have increased, but donations have decreased. Unfortunately, the need in the area is so great that these donations will be distributed within the next few months, she added.

“But I know Pantexans will once again offer to help. That is kind of who we are – Pantexans,” Bailey said.

Consolidated Nuclear Security employees at Pantex in Amarillo and Y-12 in Oak Ridge made major impacts in 2015 donating both time and money to worthy causes throughout their communities.

Leading the way at Y-12 was the 12th annual Volunteer Day, with 32 employee-inspired projects from painting, landscaping, cleaning, repairing and even providing learning experiences for young people, all supported by CNS.

Pantex community projects included volunteering with the Amarillo Public Library, cleanup and maintenance of park trails at Palo Duro State Park and Wildcat Bluff Nature Center, and even a few Pantex employees working with a group of Girl Scouts to build a “tiny home” for a mother in need.

“We’re breaking away from the traditional STEM classroom approach,” said Brandy Ramirez, a facility engineer in System Engineering at Pantex. “We’ve put the tools in the girl’s hands allowing them to install new doors and windows. Having a part in building strong, smart, caring young women is very rewarding.”

Education is a strong focus for CNS with Pantex contributing a total of $30,000 to fund multi-level robotics programs at both Amarillo and Bushland Independent School Districts allowing students to take learning high-tech.

Hundreds of students and more than 50 robots, faced off in “the varsity Sport for the Mind™” at the fifth annual Smoky Mountains Regional FIRST Robotics competition in Tennessee. As in previous years, Y-12 employees volunteered as competition judges and as team coaches and mentors to help students design, program, and build a competition robot.

Perhaps the biggest show of fostering education takes place each February as CNS host regional Science Bowls on behalf of the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Middle school and high school students across Texas and Tennessee demonstrate their academic proficiency with the winning teams going on to compete at the National Science Bowl® competition in Washington D.C.

“Science Bowl gives students who love math and science an event designed especially for them.” said Michelle Reichert, CNS Vice President and Pantex Site Manager. “They are the next generation of scientists and engineers who will one day help support our important mission.”

This year, CNS President Jim Haynes challenged the Oak Ridge community to match CNS’ $25,000 donation to replace the roof at the Boys & Girls Club of the Clinch Valley. The community responded.

Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal presented ADFAC, Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, a check for $10,000 allowing the agency to continue its efforts in supporting children and families in need in the area. The donation followed an employee-driven effort where hundreds of dollars and items were collected to replenish ADFAC’s “Crisis Cupboard.” Y-12 employees Elaine Warren and Joy Evans coordinated the effort.

“This donation from Y-12 will go a long way to provide comfort to many families in need,” said Warren. “I know there will be a lot of mothers who will be happy to see diapers and wipes on the shelves at ADFAC,” she added.

CNS also helped to alleviate hunger by presenting $10,000 to the High Plains Food Bank’s Kids’ Café with additional support during December’s Together We Can food drive where employees collected donations of food and cash from the local community. CNS also worked with the Metal Trades Council to help the food bank provide turkeys to families in need during the Thanksgiving holiday.

2015 marked the 17th year for the partnership between Y-12 and Atomic Trades and Labor Council to aid the March of Dimes by donating $15,000 to their campaign. In Amarillo, more than 60 Pantex employees spent a day on the green as CNS contributed $8,000 to sponsor the 25th Annual March of Dimes “Tournament of Eagles” golf tournament.

This year, CNS employees continued their support of the HonorAir flights to Washington D.C., which provides free flights to war memorials for local veterans of World War Two, Korea and Viet Nam. Since 2011, Y-12 employees have turned out for the return flights, wishing our veterans a welcome home and thanking them for their service to our country.

Pantex and Y-12 employees broke a sweat for a good cause at this year’s Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, which saw more than 100 employees at Pantex and Y-12 take part. Curtis Chamberlain, a production manager at Pantex, ran with his 11-year-old daughter and said it was a “good opportunity to spend quality time with her and support a worthy cause.”

CNS and its workforce in Pantex and Y-12 are proud of the support we gave to our communities in 2015 and look forward to even greater good deeds in 2016.

Ask a Pantexan to help and often the reply is, “Tell me when and where.” Recently, the High Plains Food Bank in Amarillo benefitted from Pantexans’ giving hearts. A team of about 40 Pantexans and their family members packed food boxes alongside other community volunteers.

Pantexan Robin McLaurin volunteers her time to pack a food box for the High Plains Food Bank.

The High Plains Food Bank provides food boxes for families who live in areas of the Texas Panhandle that do not have food pantries or partner agencies that provide hot meals with goods from the food bank. The food bank distributes about 1,200 boxes monthly. The Pantex team helped pack 456 boxes, which are shipped out almost as quickly as they are packed. While this event supported the food bank, the volunteers also benefited.

“Packing boxes to feed the less fortunate is a great way to give back to the community. It’s amazing how many communities that the Food Bank provides for especially since they were short in donations this year,” said Pantexan Patti Knipp.

Chelsey Westfall brought her family to help. “I’m so glad that my children and I got the opportunity to make a difference for somebody in need by helping pack food boxes for the High Plains Food bank. Hunger is everybody’s problem, and those of us who are able should all help out wherever we can,” she said.

Pantexans Megan Reed, left, and Laura Bailey, joined Pantex Site Manager Michelle Reichert, right, in presenting a donation to Zach Wilson, HPFB executive director.

CNS and the Metal Trades Council also recently joined forces to provide a donation to the High Plains Food Bank just in time for Thanksgiving. Zach Wilson, HPFB executive director, said the requests for food have greatly increased this year while donations have decreased, leaving a large gap. Michelle Reichert, CNS Vice President and Pantex Site Manager, teamed up with the MTC for a combined donation of $3,250 to help bridge the gap and meet the needs of the Texas Panhandle during the holidays.

And CNS recently served as a corporate sponsor during the High Plains Food Bank’s Together We Can food drive Dec. 7-12, providing 16,000 meals, which helped surpass the food bank’s 500,000 meal goal.

“CNS and MTC’s donations show that the company and employees support the Amarillo area and understand that the basic needs are the most important,” said Laura Bailey, Pantexan and High Plains Food Bank board member. “Hunger kills productivity and potential. Providing food helps people in our community to be healthy, active and more alert. This is especially necessary for children, who need to focus on schoolwork so that they can grow to be healthy, productive adults.”

While most people spent the Saturday before Thanksgiving packing for a road trip or grocery shopping for the big meal, a group of Pantexans spent the day lending a hand in the Amarillo community. For the eighth year in a row, they teamed up with the Hilltop Senior Citizen Association to offer a holiday meal to homeless and low-income families.

Pantexans Lisa Fajardo, left, and Amber Burnam serve drinks during the Hilltop Thanksgiving lunch.

“I really enjoyed the chance to give back to the community and meet new people,” said Amber Burnam, a business services analyst in Ethics and Employee Concerns.”

Nearly 500 HSCA guests enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving feast sponsored by CNS. Volunteers also delivered meals to about 40 homebound seniors.

Pantex volunteers, including some family members, were joined by the Potter County Deputy Sheriff Association and a host of other community volunteers.

Human Resources Business Partner Clarissa Baker said, “My mother and I volunteered and had an awesome time. It was fun working with coworkers in a totally different setting and making new friends. Both of us were very blessed to have been able to participate.”

Since 1974, the Hilltop Senior Citizen Association has offered entertainment, educational opportunities, and outings to seniors primarily in the north Amarillo area. Clara Westmoreland, executive director, stressed the importance of the holiday meal to many of their senior members on fixed incomes and low-income families living near the center.

“For some, this is the only Thanksgiving meal they will have,” said Westmoreland.

She said the need is so great in the neighborhood that HSCA volunteers have begun serving hot meals for the neighborhood children, as part of the High Plains Food Bank’s KidsCafe program.

All of the Pantex volunteers, from the servers to dishwashers, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve and their desires to return again.

Burnam said, “Everyone was so appreciative and it was a great experience. I look forward to doing it again next year.”